Press Releases

Lake Success, N.Y., October 20, 2009 – Providing storefront and hospitality businesses with an opportunity to generate additional revenue from copying, scanning and faxing, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in advanced digital imaging and software solutions, and GBCblue, a recognized leader in guest computing technology and support services, today announced the availability of the new COPYblue MEAP Version 2.1 solution for select Canon imageRUNNER multifunctional products (MFPs).

The new COPYblue MEAP application transforms a Canon imageRUNNER MFP into a self-service kiosk for walk-up copy, fax and scanning by acting as an interface to access a back-end transaction server managed by GBCblue. MEAP (Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform) is Canon's proprietary embedded platform that allows for the creation of custom applications that simplify the interaction between users and Canon products.

"By developing this MEAP application to be used in conjunction with our imageRUNNER MFPs, we are able to further expand the usability and functionality of our devices while also helping to provide a valuable service to all types of public environments," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A. "Canon has always been committed to simplifying and improving the end-user experience while helping to streamline business practices and this new MEAP application developed with GBCblue is a testament to that dedication."

Developed for public environments such as convention centers, libraries, hotels and airports, among others, the COPYblue system provides business center services to clients without the need for a dedicated on-site staff. An easy-to-use application, the user is prompted through the imageRUNNER touch screen panel with simple, step-by-step instructions to complete their desired functionality. Accepting all major credit cards as well as prepaid cards, users can simply walk up and swipe their card to make copies and send faxes or e-mails. Receipt printing is also available at the end of the session, providing the customer with a detailed breakdown of their transaction(s).

"Hotel and hospitality customers appreciate the speed, quality and reliability of Canon imageRUNNER devices, and GBCblue is very excited to be working with Canon to provide the COPYblue kiosk system on these great machines," said Ken York, vice president of Operations at GBCblue. "Leveraging the MEAP platform, Canon's developers designed an appealing user interface on the imageRUNNER device that makes it simple for hotel guests and business travelers to make copies and send faxes/e-mail."

By implementing the COPYblue system into their environments, customers are able to provide their guests and clients a convenient and easy method to make copies and send faxes/e-mail, while also creating an additional revenue stream.

Omni Hotels, a prominent luxury hotel chain, has deployed this system throughout most of its properties, providing hotel guests with unattended, around-the-clock access to such fundamental business services as printing, faxing, copying and scanning, which can all be accomplished with the simple swipe of a credit card. "A great deal of business travelers are focused on showcasing the company, pushing forward initiatives, and producing results. As a destination of business leaders, Omni Hotels employs corporate-grade business center solutions to ensure our guests have the resources they need to be successful while out of the office. The COPYblue solution enables Omni Hotels to offer guests an entirely new class of service that is uniquely suited to the needs of our corporate guests," said Kerry Kennedy, vice president E-Commerce of Omni Hotels.

Further enhancing the ease-of-use for those environments that utilize a Canon imageRUNNER MFP with the new COPYblue MEAP Version 2.1, GBCblue monitors both the application and the device itself through an off-site, back-end server, enabling them to proactively discover and resolve potential issues, both hardware and software related, while also processing all transactions and providing the device administrator with detailed reports.

COPYblue MEAP Version 2.1 solution is available immediately through Authorized Canon Dealers. Canon U.S.A. will leverage its Professional Services organization for implementing the software and facilitating the registration of the software with GBCblue's back end transaction processing server. For additional information, please contact your local Authorized Canon Dealer or visit www.gbcblue.com.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2008†, with global revenues of US $45 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of "100 Best Global Brands." Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

About GBCblue

GBCblue, based in Vancouver, WA, offers the most comprehensive business center solutions on the market, featuring fully managed software, hardware and revenue solutions designed with both the hotel and the hotel's guests in mind. GBCblue(tm) understands the importance of being a leader in quality assurance and customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry. To this end, the company has established strong business relationships with other industry-defining companies such as DELL, Canon, and Microsoft, which consistently deliver the highest quality products and services to their end users. For more information, visit the company's Web site, www.gbcblue.com, or call 1-888 GBC-BLUE

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† Based on weekly patent counts issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.